Hartford Watchman

LAST DAY OF A UNIVERSALIST

In the year 183-. Abel Thomas. the noted Universalist of Philadelphia, in connection with several of the same faith, held a two days meeting in the town of . During the preaching the court-house was crowded with the profane and careless of the town many of whom were seen coming away highly pleased with the good tidings, and flush with arguments against the doctrine of the "brimstone preachers," as the speakers chose to style the orthodox ministers. Among the converts of this meeting, (I mean the converts to Universalism-for as to God and spiritual things, they were, as might be supposed as indifferent and careless afterwards as before,) there was one of respectable family, in the meridian of life, and of perhaps more than ordinary mind. The doctrine of universal salvation was to him so plainly the doctrine of scripture and of reason that he ridiculed the idea of hell and future punishment. Every passage of holy writ that might be advanced, he could explain in a manner satisfactory to himself, so that it rather confirmed than disproved his favorite doctrine. In short, he felt perfectly secure in risking his eternal all upon it, while he hesitated not to affirm that all those who preached a different doctrine preached what they themselves did not believe.

But after some time his naturally strong constitution began to give way--his health declined. For a considerable time he indulged the hope of being restored. But instead of this, his disease gained strength from day to day, until it at length became manifest that it was destined to be mortal. His friends saw that he must die; and he himself, though loth to believe, could no longer resist the awful certainty. And how, dear reader, do you think he now appeared? You reply; composed of course, nor is your supposition an unnatural one. It is what might have been naturally expected. For believing, as he professed to do, that there is no hell, no punishmentthat in the eternal world God smiles equally upon saint and sinner--that beyond the grave all is bliss and glory—death could have no terrors for him; on the contrary, must have been to him a most welcome friend. But though such be the natural supposition, the truth is entirely different. Instead of being calm and composed, he appeared overwhelmed with fear and terror. He trembled-he wept—he moaned--nay more, threw himself. weak as he was, on his knees upon the floor, supplicating God with strong crying and tears." And why? because he feared the pang of death? No. His own language was, "I fear not death, but O! my sins-my sins!they are unpardoned-guilty I fall into the hands of the living God."

When on the Lord's-day morning he heard the church bells announce divine service, he exclaimed, "O, that I were able once more to hear a gospel sermon." And again and again did my ears hear from his lips, while sitting at his bed-side, what amounted virtually to a full disavowal of that concerning which he once appeared to have no doubt. He was no longer a Universalist. He was now ready to receive the Word in the plain and natural sense. He manifested much distress on account of his past life-was directed to Christ as the sinner's only refuge and I would fain hope found mercy But his awful death bed experience I shall never forget. Reader, beware of Universalism. Embrace the truth as it is in Jesus, and you will have tranquility and comfort in death, and beyond death life everlasting. It cannot fail you-this is conceded by the Universalist himself Messenger.